440+ Elected Officials to Governor Cuomo: Many Parts of Fracking Review Still Inadequate

Elected Officials to Protect New York Requests Meeting with Governor Cuomo, Airs Concerns about Health, Economic, and Environmental Impacts of Fracking

(Albany, NY) On Tuesday, October 2, Elected Officials to Protect New York – representing more than 440 local elected officials from 52 counties across New York State – released a letter spearheaded by Southern Tier elected officials detailing serious concerns they have about fracking. They noted the review of fracking is still missing not only a comprehensive health impact assessment but also thorough socioeconomic impact and cumulative environmental impact assessments, and they reiterated that a decision must not be made about fracking until such studies are complete. Additionally, they requested a meeting with Governor Cuomo, noting that the governor has met with Brad Gill – Executive Director of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of NY – and other representatives of the gas industry on May 9, 2012 yet the governor has not responded to the concerns raised by hundreds of elected officials.

Elected Officials to Protect New York initially raised these concerns and called for additional studies in June, 2012. Since June, Elected Officials to Protect New York has quickly grown from 280 elected officials from 34 counties to now over 440 elected officials from 52 counties, growth that is indicative of the significant concerns among local elected officials and their constituents across the state.

Their letter states that, “We represent the growing majority of elected officials from all political parties, from cities, towns, villages, and county governments, who have reviewed the science and facts on fracking. As local officials, we are the closest to the people and we’ve heard deep concerns from an unprecedented number of our constituents. Not only have we spent countless hours listening to public comments at hearings and public meetings, we hear from our neighbors at post offices, in grocery stores, and in our personal email inboxes. We have the ear to the ground on how our constituents view this industry. The sum total of what we have learned is deeply troubling.”

Regarding the recent news that the state will study the health impacts of fracking, Elected Officials to Protect New York is concerned about the scope of the study and the process. They reiterated their June request for, “A comprehensive health impact assessment of the entire shale gas extraction process, including but not limited to direct and indirect health effects and cumulative health impacts.”

Meanwhile Elected Officials to Protect New York wants to make certain that recent focus on the health study does not eclipse the fact that the DEC has still not studied the negative socioeconomic impacts of fracking and the cumulative environmental impacts, issues which are of great concern to residents across the state. The letter released today states that, “We are the boots on the ground where the impacts and ramifications would be greatest. We do not believe that the facts and science are complete yet, so it doesn’t matter whether 50 to 100 wells are permitted or 5,000 to 10,000. We do not have the knowledge that fracking is “safe” so we oppose subjecting any of our communities to this industry until all of our concerns have been thoroughly addressed.”

Additionally, they addressed the recent request by a small group of Southern Tier town supervisors who have urged the DEC to move forward with fracking as soon as possible. Elected Officials to Protect New York noted that “the validity of the request from this small group of town supervisors is questionable” given that the “pro-fracking” resolutions have largely been passed in the dark of night. Even the “pro-fracking” town supervisors have noted an outpouring of public opposition following their resolutions, a clear indication that they may not have the support of their constituents.

Elected Officials to Protect New York stated in their letter, “As mayors, town supervisors, councilmembers, trustees, and county officials of Southern Tier communities and on behalf of elected officials from most counties in the state, we can attest that the majority of residents in upstate New York, the communities that will be most affected, are not in support of going forward with fracking at this time.”

Martha Robertson, Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature and one of the founders of Elected Officials to Protest New York, said, “We sincerely hope that Governor Cuomo will heed this common-sense request from hundreds of elected officials from most counties in the state. This decision must be driven by the facts and best interests of all New Yorkers, not a rushed timeline driven by pressure from the gas industry.”

For a full list of elected officials who are part of Elected Officials to Protect New York, visit www.NYElectedOfficials.org.

Elected Officials to Protect New York is a bipartisan initiative of over 440 elected officials from 52 counties across the state calling on Governor Cuomo to continue the moratorium on fracking until the drilling method is proven safe for all New Yorkers. Local elected officials can join the statement by visiting www.nyelectedofficials.org.

(Albany, NY) On Monday, June 4, more than 280 local elected officials from 34 counties across New York State called on Governor Cuomo to continue the fracking moratorium and to do additional study before a decision is made whether to allow fracking. Their request, which they delivered in the form of a letter to the Governor, crosses political lines and comes from elected officials from more than half of New York State’s counties.

At a press conference in Albany, elected officials shared issues of concern to municipalities and released their letter to Governor Cuomo. They spoke about how the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) review of fracking has significant shortcomings. To address their concerns, a number of studies are needed before – not after – any decision is made about fracking and before fracking commences anywhere in the state.

One of the elected officials who started the initiative, Town of Caroline Deputy SupervisorDominic Frongillo, said, “As local elected officials, we are on the front lines of this issue, and a number of critical studies have not been done to determine the consequences of fracking and drilling operations to the constituents we represent. The impacts of fracking don’t respect municipal boundaries or political parties, which is why we’ve already seen such an overwhelming and bipartisan response in support of this initiative from across the state.”

Among their concerns are the cumulative health impacts of fracking, so they are calling for a comprehensive and independent cumulative health impact assessment. Town of Rochester Supervisor Carl Chipman said, “The revised SGEIS on the extraction of natural gas by hydraulic fracturing presented by the DEC falls very short of resolving and even discussing many concerns involving the impacts on the health, safety, and general well being of our residents as well as the economic impacts to our communities. As an elected official, failure to oppose lifting the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in New York would be a disservice to those whom I’m elected to represent.”

Elected Officials to Protect New York’s request to the governor also called for revised and thorough studies of all potentially negative socioeconomic impacts (not just the benefits, as the current study outlines) and of cumulative environmental impacts related to fracking and drilling operations. They pointed out that thorough study was significantly lacking in the SGEIS of impacts relating to these concerns, including increased demands on local governments, increased strain on first responders and law enforcement, effects on property values and home mortgages, impacts on existing businesses and economies, local community character, water resources, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and more.

Justin Riccobono, Council Member At Large in the City of Beacon, urged extreme caution: “As a Republican and a conservative, I feel there are too many risks involved for our watershed and air quality than there are benefits. If something goes wrong, we may never be able to correct the problem. I encourage all New Yorkers to research the issues with hydrofracking in the states of Wyoming, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”

Elected Officials to Protect New York noted that they agree with Governor Cuomo that a decision on fracking should be based on the science, but they believe the facts and science available currently leave many serious questions unanswered. Albany Common Council Member Leah Golby said, “It is imperative that a decision on fracking be based on the facts, like the Governor has said it will be, but as it stands New York State has not adequately looked at the science and facts on many issues of serious concern. We respectfully urge Governor Cuomo to maintain New York’s moratorium and to hold off on making a decision until the requested independent and thorough studies have been completed and we have all of the facts.”

Elected officials from the Southern Tier were quick to point out that the perception that the Southern Tier wants fracking is wrong. Town of Afton Councilmember Mary Jo Long said, “Just because we have been unable to get our town boards to pass bans or moratoria to date does not mean we want our community fracked. Senator Libous does not speak for a large portion of the Southern Tier.”

City of Elmira Mayor Susan Skidmore said, “My opinion is that all the facts are not being considered. Local environmental and infrastructure studies and current conditions of these items are not understood or taken into consideration. I am very concerned about the impact to my city. I see it as a burden to the residents to shoulder what is left when these large companies cap the wells and employment drops to a few part time maintenance positions. It will and has destroyed our property values and our ability to afford our own homes and rental properties.”

Syracuse Common Councilor Kathleen Joy said, “Even though Syracuse is protected, New York is one state. If it’s not safe in one municipality’s watershed, it’s not safe anywhere. We shouldn’t be putting any of New York’s citizens at risk. The risks of fracking don’t change from one municipality to the next, neither should state policy.”

Elected Officials to Protect New York is a broad-based and nonpartisan group of elected officials seeking to open a dialogue with the Governor’s office on these issues. Frongillo made the point that there needs to be an ongoing conversation between the Governor’s office and local officials: “Whatever is eventually decided about fracking, we need to be consulted and involved. We’re the boots on the ground, representing villages, cities, towns, and counties. The bipartisan, geographically-diverse group of elected officials that has joined together on this letter stands ready to work with the DEC and the Governor for the best possible future for all of New York State.”